I started a family tradition when I was 14 and I made lasagna for Xmas dinner and some side dishes. As my cooking skills developed so did my sides, both dishes and the ones on my body

However, the last 4 years we have been spending Xmas eve dinner at G-Ma and G-Pa's house, my BIL's grandparents. She makes a delicious rib roast and the yummiest side dishes imaginable.

Our most favorite part of the day is the "White Elephant" game we play which is G-Ma's own version. We all bring a gift with a $20 or so value, it can be an awesome gift (which my sisters and I try to compete for the best gift) or a gag gift (which my BILs are so good at). Then there is the statue that resembles Xmas, it's not an ugly statue just one we all associate with as being the biggest gag gift and its brought by the person who got it last year. The game is played by rolling dice, if you get a double you get to pick up a wrapped gift, when you roll another double you get to pick up a different gift or unwrap your gift. Anytime someone rolls a double they can either steal a gift or pick one up from the pile. This repeats itself until everyone has a gift and has unwrapped their gift. Once everyone has an unwrapped gift, we start the lightning round, G-Ma sets the timer and covers it so no one knows how much time is left. Then the game proceeds where if you roll a double you get to steal a gift. As you can imagine, this part becomes approximately 15-20 minutes of utter chaos in the Eli Family home, there's plotting and planning, stealing and hiding. Until the last moment when we hear the timer bell and EVERYONE LOOKS TO SEE WHO HAS THE STATUE. Then of course we all point and laugh.

Well this year, I am going to become the proud aunty to my first Nephew on December 27, we don't want my sister in the car driving to Riverside so close to giving birth, so Xmas dinner is going to be at her house and I get to cook! I'm so excited to combine my Italian themed dinner with G-Ma's White Elephant excitement!

What's your family tradition for the holidays?